The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-03-05

IN Cnulr III WHICH olic Vi thc SuaiufSH h"o
Just upset cup Of water. He sprang te
his feet so sud denly that Sally, understands
ing the cause, laughed long and loud.
At another time Simon would have joined
In this harmless mirth, but now, consider
ing himself in the light OF martyr, he
only gazed contemptuously upon the irrev'
erent Sally, who still giggled behind bel
gingham apron.
"Oh! you can laugh" he sneered
''you've nothin' to trouble you, and when
I'm gone you're safe"
Where you goin', SimW cried Sally,
eagerly, forgetting her laughter and fail
ing to see the significance Of this cutting
remark. That Simon standing there before
her was seriously talking Of dying never
occurred TO her. Where you goin'
Simoni" she reiterated. "Csuse II you r.
goin' down TO Snyder's, promised Maris
some Of them crooked-necked squas es ou
In the lot, an you can take 'em over IT,
Simon waited to hear no more, but fiunl
himself or, muttering: Hang the women
anyhow; none Of 'em got bit OF sense"
so for more than o week things went on
In this cross grained way. Nothing pleased
Simon any more, his appetite failed, ant
he scowled 80 continually that it seemed
doubtful IL his face ever would straighteI
out again. His one thought was OF tha
ve-thousand. dollar policy and the pleas
ure 1t would bring to others when he could
take no part in 1t.
Sally at last began 10 see the reason o,
Simon's strange mood, but she wisely KEEP
her own counsel A plan formed itself In
her mind, however, plan over which she
often smiled when about her work. Now
the policy had not arrived yet, but would
In o few days.
Accordingly, one morning as Sally wa:
busily churning on the porch while Simon
sat whiting in detected silence beside her
q buggy stopped at the gate, and from II
alghted spruce young man whom Simon
instantly recognized as the insurance agent
He came briskly up to the porch. Good
morning, Mr. Jones! Fine morning, this
have brought you your policy; it is al
complete with this exception, as 1t is IN
favor OF your wife, here" bowling 70 Mrs.
Jones, who had stopped churning, ut viii
he necessary for her to sign Il (here pro
ducing pen and ink). "Will you, my good
woman, be so kind rs to aff1x your name3"
Now Sally resented being called tiny
good woman" in that manner; she hated
agents generally and this one in particu
lar, for hadn't Simon acted like all pos.
sessed ever since he come bothering round.
Here was the opportunity she craved.
Taking the policy which the agent ex-
tended, she unfolded and glanced at it
contents
$50 this is my husbands life insurance.
Eyes, man"
"And it's for Ave thousand dollars, amt
itr'
"Yes, man"
ain my tavorp
ayes. in your favor, certainly" replied
the agent Now you see"--
''Never mind, sir" interrupted the irate
Sally 81 want to tell you don't want NO
FIVE Thousand dollars when Simon dies,
nor don't want no insurance policy either.
Simon has acted like fool ever since he
took out this tarnal old thing; thinks want
him 10 die so can have all that money 70
have fine time with. don't believe I'd
ever get five cents anyhow-them In.
surance companies always bust fore man
dies; anyhow wouldn't live with Simon
another week If he kept this. You under
stand, sir, don't want no policy nor Simon
don't neliher."
And with dexterous twist Sally tore up
the offending paper and tossed the pieces
into the yard
but, madam. let me tell you-let me ex-
plain; surely there is some mistake" Do.
gan the chagrned agent but Sally cut him
short.
II know there's been mistake" she
said, IAN I've rcctihed it-look out SIR,
this cream may spatter your clothes"--as
the dasher few with renewed energy.
The agent turned TO Simon who had been
Q silent spectator Of this scene. Sir, will
you permit this; is 1t to be as your wife
saysl"
Simon smiled In a sickly fashion, and
taking out his wallet extrscted therefrom
o fve-dollar bill and handing It TO the
agent said: stake this. sir, for your
trouble but as for the policy, guess we'll
let it be az wife says"
The agent took the money and his de-
psrture at once After moments silence
he turned to his wife and In rather sub
dued voice asked:
Hadn't l better finish that churnin'
Sallyp
~ don't care If you do" said Sally.
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